Invasive (Infiltrating) Ductal Carcinoma Questions

Gel nails or polish during chemo?

Does anyone know if you can keep gel nails or toenail polish during chemo? I know you're not supposed to cut cuticles, just push them back. I'm hoping I can keep at least this part of my "girliness" after bilateral mastectomy and during my chemo experience!

10 Answers from the Community

I was told to take off all fake nails and polish. Your nails are a good indicator of what is going on in your body. Sometimes you can lose your nails during chemo, anything on them could cause that to happen because they can't breathe. My toe nails became sore and loose. I was told to keep lotion on them and at night put tea tree oil on them. That worked. In about a week they were normal. My nurse suggested Udderly Smooth lotion from drug warehouse. It was good for everything.

I was told not to get manicures at a nail salon during chemo, as if you get a cut, and the utensils are not cleaned properly, you can be more prone to infection. I also started to get nail fungus on my fingernails during chemo, which can be one side effecst It went away a couple of months after my chemo was finished..

I got a pedicure before each chemo treatment, as a way to "reward" myself. I had also read that you aren't supposed to have your cuticles cut, but I made sure to visit a reputable salon that sterilizes their equipment. I never had any problems with infection or nail fungus. :)

The Phys. Assist. told me what to do and where to go for help. She noticed I had a mani/Pedi and said I could still get them but to take it off often to make sure I wasn't getting a fungus or anything else. I have noticed ridges in my nails indicating when I got chemo and when I had to hold off ( low white counts made me go several weeks without treatment). during treatment my nails don't grow much. that would say that the gel would not be a good idea since the reason for getting it is to leave it on longer. You can still be girley. Get more than one wig so you can change hair style and color often. My boyfriend says he keeps getting a new girlfriend. Do your nails, make up (Look good feel Good) and what ever else makes you feel good. If you need to draw on eyebrows my hair stylilst says to use 2 colors. It makes it look more natural.

I had pedicures and ended up losing both of my big toe nails. very strange. I also lost my thumb nails. all others had ridges but never fell off. just be careful and pay attention. my last chemo was Dec 7, 2011 and nails are slowly getting back to normal.

I did my own mani & pedis. I was careful & wore nail polish the whole time. Chemo can mess up your nails, mine got dry & weak for about a year. My Onc suggested dark polish because it hides discolorations. Yes, my Onc is a lady! Good luck!

I think it's a great suggestion to wear dark polish! My breast surgeon is female, and she told me lots of hints to get through the bilateral--things I doubt a male doctor would have known. But my onc is a grandfatherly guy, and I wouldn't change him for the world! Interesting how the sex of your doctor can sometimes have an impact on your care...

I kept up my mani-pedi's all through chemo. I go to a woman who works out of her home and she's become a good friend. She was aware of the need to be hypervigilant about clean instruments, and was extremely gentle when my nails became sore and loose (and continues to do so as both big toe nails are getting ready to fall off AGAIN--7 years out). I love how well-cared-for nails look, but one of the big reasons I started having manicures rather than doing my own is that I don't have problems with hangnails like I did before, so Ithink I was a little less open to infection BECAUSE of my manicures! =)